1. business and industrial
2. chemicals industry
3. plastics and polymers

International Journal of Engineering and Technology Volume 2 No. 2, February, 2012
Nanostructuring of Nanorobots for use in Nanomedicine
Kal Renganathan Sharma
Department of Chemical Engineering
Roy G. Perry College of Engineering
Prairie View A & M University
Prairie View, TX 77446
ABSTRACT
Submarine nanorobots are being developed for use in branchy therapy, spinal surgery, cancer therapy, etc. Nanoparticles have
been developed for use in drug delivery systems and for cure in eye disorders and for use in early diagnosis. Research in
nanomedicine is under way in development of diagnostics for rapid monitoring, targeted cancer therapies, localized drug
delivery, and improved cell material interactions, scaffolds for tissue engineering and gene delivery systems. Novel therapeutic
formulations have been developed using PLGA based nanoparticles. Nanorobots can be used in targeted therapy and in repair
work of DNA. Drexler and Smalley debated whether „molecular assemblers‟ that are devices capable of positioning atoms and
molecules for precisely defined reactions in any environment is possible or not. Feynman‟s vision of miniaturization is being
realized. Smalley sought agreement that precision picking and placing of individual atoms through the use of „Smalley-fingers‟
is an impossibility. Fullerenes, C60, are the third allotropic form of carbon. Soccer ball structured, C60, with a surface filled with
hexagons and pentagons satisfy the Euler‟s law. Fullerenes can be prepared by different methods such as: (i) first and second
generation combustion synthesis; (ii) chemical route by synthesis of corannulene from naphthalene. Rings are fused and the
sheet that is formed is rolled into hemisphere and stitched together; (iii) electric arc method. Different nanostructuring methods
are discussed. These include: (1) sputtering of molecular ions;(2) gas evaporation; (3) process to make ultrafine magnetic
magnetic powder; (4) triangulation and formation of nanoprisms by light irradiation ; (5) nanorod production using condensed
phase synthesis method; subtractive methods such as; (6) lithography; (7) etching; (8) galvanic fabrication; (9) lift-off process
for IC circuit fabrication; (10) nanotips and nanorods formation by CMOS process; (11) patterning Iridium Oxide
nanostructures; (12) dip pen lithography; (13) SAM, self assembled monolayers; (14) hot embossing; (15) nanoimprint
lithography; (16) electron beam lithography; (17) dry etching; (18) reactive ion etching; (19) quantum dots and thin films
generation by; (20) sol gel; (21) solid state precipitation; (22) molecular beam epitaxy; (23) chemical vapor deposition; (24)
CVD; (25) lithography; (26) nucleation and growth; (27) thin film formation from surface instabilities; (28) thin film
formation by spin coating;(29) cryogenic milling for preparation of 100-300 nm sized titanium; (30) atomic lithography
methods to generated structures less than 50 nm; (31) electrode position method to prepare nanocomposite; (32) plasma
compaction methods; (33) direct write lithography; (34) nanofluids by dispersion. Thermodynamic miscibility of
nanocomposites can be calculated from the free energy of mixing. The four thermodynamically stable forms of Carbon are
diamond, graphite, C60, Buckminster Fullerene and Carbon Nanotube. 5 different methods of preparation of CNTs, carbon
nanotubes were discussed. Thermodynamically stable dispersion of nanoparticles into a polymeric liquid is enhanced for
systems where the radius of gyration of the linear polymer is greater than the radius of the nanoparticle. Tiny magneticallydriven spinning screws were developed. Molecular machines are molecules that can with an appropriate stimulus be
temporarily lifted out of equilibrium and can return to equilibrium in the observable macroscopic properties of the system.
Molecular shuttle, molecular switches, molecular muscle, molecular rotors, molecular nanovalves are discussed.
Supramolecular materials offers alternative to top-down miniaturization and bottom-up fabrication. Self-organization
principles hold the key. Gene expression studies can be carried out in biochips. CNRs are a new generation of self-organizing
collectives of intelligent nanorobots. This new technology includes procedures for interactions between objects with their
environment resulting in solutions of critical problems at the nanoscopic level. Biomimetic materials are designed to mimic a
natural biological material. Characterization methods of nanostructures include SAXS, small angle X-ray scattering, TEM,
transmission electron microscopy, SEM, scanning electron microscopy, SPM, scanning probe microscope, Raman microscope,
AFM atomic force miscroscopy, HeIM helium ion microscopy.
Keywords: nanostructuring, nanorobots, fullerenes
1. INTRODUCTION
In the movie, fantastic voyage, that came out in 1966 a
group of doctors, are shrunk to microscopic size and enter
the body of a patient in a submarine like capsule to set him
right from the inside. In fantastic voyage, a secret agent is
recruited by a top-secret organization to join the crew of a
submarine called Proteus. The crew and submarine are
reduced to microscopic size and injected into the
bloodstream of scientist Jan Benes, who defects to the
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International Journal of Engineering and Technology (IJET) – Volume 2 No. 2, February, 2012
West and goes into a coma after suffering a surgically
inaccessible blood clot. They must reach the brain with a
laser to melt the clot within an hour or the miniaturization
effect will wear off. However, the voyage is undermined
by one of the crew who is a saboteur and is prepared to
risk everything to stop the mission. This is vision of
nanomedicine. Feynman in his after dinner talk [1]
alluded to nanomedicines being effective solutions to
cardiovascular disease.
Nanoscopic devices can be
swallowed by the patient. These devices can me made to
act as “mechanical surgeons”. Through the blood vessels
the device is allowed to travel to the heart and performs a
“search” of faulty valves, or clogged artery etc. It can be
programmed to slice out the faulty valve and repair it or
clear up the clogged artery.
2. CURRENT
AND
DEVELOPMENT
FUTURE
Dr. N. Schwalb and O. Solomon [2] at the department of
mechanical engineering at Technion-Israel Institute of
Technology have designed such a tiny submarine robot.
The device is made capable of crawling through tubes with
the diameter of human veins and arteries. It is capable of
moving with or against the blood stream as needed. It can
be used in branchytherapy. Prostate and certain other
cancers of head and neck can be treated by
branchytherapy. The product is in the development stage.
Tiny robots can be programmed for an unlimited amount
of time using an external magnetic field. The device is
about 1 mm in diameter. Another similar device of 1 cm
device is developed at Kyoto university [2]. Shaham has
develoepd a robot for the Mazor company that is used in
many hospitals world over for performing spinal surgery.
Haifa/Ariel robot has a centralized structure with tiny winy
arms that are used to grab onto the inside of the tubes.
Movement of the device results in its advancement. Hair
like structure allows for travel through miniature sized
tubes. Nanorobotics is an emerging area. The words
nanorobots, nanoids, nanomachines, nanites, nanomites etc
are also used in place of nanorobots. Nanomachines are
expected to be used in medical technology to destroy
cancer cells.
In Figure 1.0 is shown a `nanocar‟ designed at Rice
University [3]. The molecule consists of `H‟ shaped
`chassis‟. Fullerenes are attached at the four corners and
can be viewed as `wheels‟. These can be attached to a gold
surface. Heating of the surface to 200 0 C leads to motion
of the molecules back and forth. Fullerene molecules begin
to roll. The `axle‟ is formed from an alkyne group through
a carbon-carbon sigma bond. Rotation is unhindered.
These were observed using a STM, scanning tunneling
microscope.
Figure 1. `Nanocar’ with Fullerenes as `wheels’
According to some experts [4] nanomedicine is a medical
modality where nanoparticles are used for diagnosis of
diseases and subsequent treatment. Nanoparticles can be
used as therapeutic agents for treatment of eye disorders.
One such eye disorder is age related macular degeneration.
Nanoparticles offer a number of advantages when used as
drug. Greater capacity to detect diseases and early diagnois
can be achieved using nanoparticles. Breast tumors and
prostate cancer can be cured should they be detected early.
Bone cancer can be cured using nanotherapeutic products.
NMR, nuclear magnetic resonance machines can be used
to effect breakthroughs in pharmaceutical development.
Techniques used in nanomedicine can be used for
treatment of diseases in a manner with minimization of
damage to the human anatomy. This is because the disease
germs are isolated in the anatomy and treatment is effected
in a specific manner. Other pharmaceuticals cause damage
to other parts of the human anatomy. There are ethical
issues in use of genetic modification in nanomedicine that
needs to be addressed in a modern society. Implantable
devices 100,000 times smaller than the head of a pin can
be used in disease diagnosis without surgical invasion. The
diseased cells are eradicated by `pumping‟ medicine to the
malignant site. Research in nanomedicine is under way in
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International Journal of Engineering and Technology (IJET) – Volume 2 No. 2, February, 2012
development of diagnostics for rapid monitoring, targeted
cancer therapies, localized drug delivery, improved cell
material interactions, scaffolds for tissue engineering and
gene delivery systems.
Experts in Canada have obtained approval of PLGA based
nanoparticles for suitable therapeutic formulation for
clinical use in human anatomy. Degradation products of
nanoparticles were lactic acid and glycolic acid and are
non-toxic. At UCSF, University of California, San
Francisco a function relationship was developed between
bone-tooth complex and nanotechnology use.
Scientists at Rice University, Houston, TX have
approached the FDA, Food and Drug Administration for
clinical trials in humans of an interesting development in
nanomedicine. Trials in mice have proved succesful.
Nanoparticles were injected into malignant cancer cells.
The cells were overheated with lasers. The nanoparticle
exploded and the malignant cells were destroyed. The
surrounding cells were left unharmed. These trials have lot
of potential in cancer therapy. In tradiational
chemotherapy both the malignant cells and normal cells
get damaged. Nanorobots can be used in drug delivery and
for performing repair work of DNA molecule.
Agriculture is expected to benefit from the advances made
in nanomedicine. Nanoparticles can be used to enhance
photosynthesis, improve seed germination, soil clean-up
and nutrient supply, fertilizer production, food processing
and fisheries.
Nanoscale science and engineering pertains to the
synthesis, characterization and applications of matter with
at least one or more dimensions less than 100 nm. Prescott
introduced by Intel in Pentium IV chip has the dimensions
of about 90 nm. Per the Rayleigh criterion the minimum
resolution size achievable is half the wavelength of light ~
200 nm. Nanotechnology is derived from the Greek words
nanos which means dwarf and technologia which means a
systematic treatment of an art or craft. Nanotechnology is
rapidly emerging as a distinct discipline in its own right.
Vision precedes invention. The movie fantastic voyage
provided a vision where doctors where shrunk to
nanoscopic size and allowed to enter the patient‟s anatomy
in order to affect the cure. Nanoporous catalysts have
been used for years now in the chemical industry.
Commercial products introduced into the marketplace such
as clay filled nylon nanocomposite by Toyota corp., clay
intercalated polyolefin nanocomposite by General Motors,
nanocomposite nylon in biomedical applications, chemical
resistant coating made of nanometer sized particles
suspended in epoxy, CNTs, carbon nanotubes, Li-ion
battery electrode of Altair nanotechnologies offer the proof
in the pudding about the concern of achieving targeted
levels of miniaturization.
Richard Feynman‟s after dinner talk [1] in 1959 provided
the vision for storage of Encyclopedia within the size of a
pin head, method of writing small using ions, focus of
electrons on a small photoelectric screen, etc. He called
for the design and development of better electron
microscopes with capability to view atoms, better f value
lenses, making computer that filled several rooms to make
small, elements of computer to be made submicroscopic.
He alluded to a process of evaporation and formation of
layered materials much like ALD methods used currently.
He called for drilling holes, cutting things, soldering
things, stamping things out, molding different shapes at an
infinitesimal level. A pantograph can make a smaller
pantograph that can make a smaller pantograph and so on
and so forth. He mused whether atoms can be re-arranged
at will. He offered $1000 to the first guy who can take the
information on the page of a book and put in on the area
1/25,000 smaller in linear scale in such a fashion that is
can be read using an electron microscope.
The chronology of events that mark the rise of
nanotechnology as a discipline is shown in Table 1.0 in [5]
from Feynman‟s talk in 1959 to the nanoethics meeting in
2005. Wide range of applications is expected in
nanotechnology ranging from solar cells with increased
photovoltaic efficiency, to sunscreens to GMR, Giga
magnetic hardrives. The challenges in nanotechnology
that need to be overcome are fundamental physical limits
to
miniaturization,
thermodynamic
stability
of
nanostructures and existence of a minimum size below
which spheres tend to agglomerate, layer arrangement and
why tubular morphology is preferred to spherical
morphology in the nanoscale range. Some characterization
tools needed in nanotechnology are SEM, AFM, SAXS,
WAXS, etc.
Nanoparticles in the size range 10 nm – 1000 nm can be
used to entrap or encapsulate drugs. Nanodrugs can be
synthesized on nanodrugs. Nanocapsules contain drug in
the cavity and is surrounded by polymer layer. Nanopores
refer to the pore size in materials that are that small.
Encapsulated systems can be used in constant rate drug
delivery
processes.
Biodegradable
polymeric
nanoparticles can be used in drug delivery applications.
Drug attachment to nanosystems can be by electrostatic
interactions or covalent bonds. The absorption of drug can
be affected by different methods. Drugs administered
through the gastrointestinal tract, GI is referred to as
enteral route of entry. Parenteral routes refer to all other
types of drug entry. Drug administration: [6] i) beneath
the tongue is by sublingual entry; ii) via the mouth is by
buccal cavity; iii) through stomach by gastric entry; iv)
through veins by IV therapy; v) within the muscular by
intramuscular therapy; vi) beneath the epidermal and
dermal skin layers via subcutaneous therapy; vii) within
the dermis by intradermal therapy; viii) by topical
treatment applied to the skin by percutaneous therapy; ix)
through mouth, nose, pharynz, trachea, bronchi,
bronchioles, alveolar sacs, alveoli by inhalation; x) is
introduced into artery by intrarterial route;
xi) to
cerebrospinal fluid by intrathecal route; xii) within the
vagina by vaginal route and; xiii) through eye, intraocular
route. Systemic circulation is reached by the drugs
absorbed from the buccal cavity and the lower rectum. The
splanchnic circulation is arrived at by the drugs absorbed
from the stomach, intestines, colon and upper rectum.
Nanopeapods can be grown as shown in [7]. Nanoshells
were made out of a coating of CoAl2O4 on nanoparticles
made of platinum. Nanowires can be made by alternating
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International Journal of Engineering and Technology (IJET) – Volume 2 No. 2, February, 2012
layers of cobolt and platinum by electrodeposition.
Nanoropes are affected by allowing strong van der Waals
forces to take place in extended carbon structures.
Nanoshells are made by coating drugs on metal
nanoparticles. The therapeutic response of these drugs
depends on the thickness of the coating and capping agent
used. Laser irradiation of the nanoshells causes release of
the drug coat. Magnetic field can also be used to release
the drug. These methods can be used in cancer therapy.
Larger amounts of drugs can be treated on account of the
higher surface to volume ratios associated with
nanoparticles.
3. FULLERENES – DISCOVERY
SYNTHESIS METHODS
AND
Fullerenes, C60, is the third allotropic form of carbon. The
Nobel Prize for their discovery was awarded in 1996 to
Curl, Smalley and Kroto. Soccer ball structured, C60, with
a surface filled with hexagons and pentagons satisfy the
Euler‟s law. Euler‟s law states that no sheet of hexagons
will close. Pentagons have to be introduced for hexagon
sheets to close [4]. Stability of C60 requires Euler‟s 12
pentagon closure principle and the chemical stability
conferred by pentagon non-adjacency. C240, C540, C960 and
C1500 can be built with icosahedra symmetry.
Howard [8] patented the 1st generation combustion
synthesis method for fullerene production, an advance over
the carbon arc method.
In the second generation
combustion synthesis method optimizes the conditions for
fullerene formation.
A continuous high flow of
hydrocarbon is burned at low pressure in a three
dimensional chamber. Manufacturing plants have been
constructed in Japan and USA with production capacity of
fullerenes at 40 metric tons/year. Purity levels is greater
than 98%. The reaction chamber consists of a primary
zone where the initial phase of combustion synthesis is
conducted and a secondary zone where combustion
products with higher exit age distribution do not mix with
those with lower exit age distribution. Flame control and
flame stability is critical in achieving higher throughputs
of fullerenes. Typical operating parameters include
residence time in the primary zone of 2 – 500 ms,
residence time in the secondary zone from 5 ms – 10 s,
total equivalence ratio in the range of 1.8-4.0, pressure in
the range of 10-400 torr and temperature in the range of
1500-2500 K.
A chemical route has been developed by Scott [9] to
synthesize C60. Corannulene is synthesized from
naphthalene structure. As the rings fuse and the sheet
forms then it is rolled into soccer ball structure. The
challenge is how to stitch up the seams between the arms
to make the ball. Oligoarenes are transformed into highly
strained curved Pi surfaces. The molecule needs to bend to
effect ring closure on a „soccer ball‟ structure at 1000 0 C.
60 carbon ring system can be built by acid catalyzed aldol
trimerization of ketone. Oligoarene zips up to the soccer
ball structure affected by cyclodehydrogenations.
In order to generate higher yield, supercritical ethanol [10]
was used to react with naphthalene with ferric chloride as
catalyst for 6 hours. The reaction products were subjected
to extraction with toluene. The reactor temperature range
was 31 – 500 0 C, pressure range was 3.8 – 60 MPa.
Smalley patented a process to make fullerenes by tapping
into the solar energy [11]. The carbon is vaporized by
applying focus of solar arrays and conducting the carbon
vapor to a dark zone for fullerene growth and annealing.
Fullerene content of soot deposits collected on the inside
of the Pyrex tube was analyzed by extraction with toluene.
In the electric arc process [12] for fullerene production,
carbon material is heated using an electric arc between two
electrodes to form carbon vapor. Fullerene molecules are
condensed later and collected as soot. Fullerenes are later
purified by extraction of soot using a suitable solvent
followed by evaporation of the solvent to yield the solid
fullerene molecules.
4. SUMMARY OF NANOSTRUCTURING
METHODS
Nanostructures can be several kinds: nanowires; nanorods;
nanotetrapods; nanoscrystals; quantum dots; nanosheets;
nanocylinders; nanocubes; nanograins; nanofilaments;
nanolamella; nanopores; nanotrenches; nanotunnel;
nanovoids;
nanoparticles.
Nanostructuring methods
encompass a wide range of technologies. Nanostructures
can either be generated by building up from atoms using
methods classified as „bottom-up‟ strategy or by
diminishing of size from nanoparticles using methods
grouped under „top-down‟ strategy. Bottom-up strategies
use self-assembly concepts, are cheap, more scalable, more
flexible and leads to molecular level engineering. Top
down strategy are expensive, less scalable and inflexible.
Sputtering of molecular ions under ultrahigh vacuum is
used in the vacuum synthesis method of nanostructuirng
[13] . Sputtering process is followed by annealing process.
Crystalline silicon is made to form into isolated quantum
wires. Gas evaporation [14] technique is a dry process to
make ultrafine metallic magnetic powders. Metal is
evaporated onto a thin film under vacuum conditions.
Metal atoms are allowed to impinge on the surface of the
dispersing medium. Condensation of metal atoms can also
be accomplished using cooling nozzle. Nanoparticles in
the size range of 50 nm – 4 m can be prepared using this
technique.
Triangular nanoprisms can be generated by exposure to
light [15] at different wavelengths between 400 nm – 700
nm. Ostwald ripening concepts are used. Edge lengths
range from 31-134 nm can be prepared. Nanorods may be
produced using condensed phase synthesis method [16]
The starting material is heated until the material vaporizes.
Later the vapor is condensed. Aggregate of nanoparticles
are formed. Particles are delivered by boundary layer
delivery and thermophoresis assisted deposition to form
the epitaxial deposit. CNTs, carbon nanotubes can also be
made using this method.
Subtractive and additive fabrication methods can be used
for nanostructuring operations. Lithography, etching,
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International Journal of Engineering and Technology (IJET) – Volume 2 No. 2, February, 2012
galvanic fabrication processes are subtractive. A series of
chemical reactions effects removal of the layer in the
apertures of the mask and transfer of material into gas
phase. Lift-off processes are employed in the fabrication
of IC circuit. Nanotips and nanorods can be efficiently
formed using conventional CMOS processes. Patterning
Iridium oxide nanostructures [17] consists of the steps of;
i) forming a substrate with first and second regions
adjacent to each other; ii) growing IrOx structures from a
continuous oxide film overlying the first region;
iii)
simultaneously growing IrOx nanostructures from a concontinuous oxide film overlying the second region; iv)
selectively etching area of second region; v) lifting off
overlying IrOx structures and vi) forming a substrate with
nanostructures overlying the first region. The second
material can be SiOx.
Dip Pen lithography, SAM,. Self Assembled Monolayers,
hot embossing, nanoimprint lithography, electron beam
lithography, dry etching, reactive ion etching are
techniques that can be used to prepare nanostructures with
50 – 70 nm dimensions [18,19]. Nanomechanical
techniques include processes that include local transfer of
material from a tool onto a substrate when either the tool
or the substrate is pre-structured.
Quantum dots [20] are structures where quantum
confinement effects are significant. Reproducibility of
organized arrays of quantum dots is an identified problem.
Techniques such as sol gel, solid state precipitation,
molecular beam epitaxy, chemical vapor deposition, CVD
and lithography were developed to enhance uniformity,
control morphology and determine spatial distribution of
quantum dots in thick and thin films. QDs can be prepared
at low temperatures by precipitation from solution by solgel methods. Uniformly sized QDs are affected by control
of nucleation and growth of particles within a
lithographically or electrochemically designed template.
FCC packing of silica balls can be used as template for
melt/infusion of the semiconductor InSb.
Nanostructures of metal oxides can be prepared by sol-gel
processing methods. Chemical reactions are conducted in
solution to produce nanosized particles called „sols‟. The
„sols‟ are connected into a 3-dimensional network called a
gel. Controlled evaporation of liquid phase leads to dense
porous solids called „xerogel‟ [21]. Surface instabilities
and pattern formation in polymer thin films can lead to
formation of nanostructures [22].
The control of
morphology of phase separated polymer blends can be
result in nanostructures. Kinetic and thermodynamic
effects during phase separation can be used in preparation
of nanostructures [23]. Nanostructure can be synthesized
by quenching of a partially miscible polymer blend below
the critical temperature of demixing. Spin coating can be
used to prepare polymer film. Pattern formation from
polymer solvent systems is stage wise. A stage of layered
morphology, followed by destabilization of layers by
capillary instability and surface instability leads to
nanostructure formation.
Cryogenic milling [24] is a top-down approach to prepare
nanoscale titanium of 100-300 nm size. Several
mechanical deformations of large grains into ultrafine
powder degassing lead to nanopowder with improved
characteristics.
Atomic lithography is the method of choice to generate
structures less than 50 nm dimensions. A laser beam
forms a high intensity optical spot allowing formation of
2-dimensionsl pattern of atoms on the surface of the
substrate [25]. Nanostructured thin film nanocomposites
can be manufactured using electro deposition method [26].
Electro deposition can be used to form nanostructured
films within the pores of mesoporous silica. Silica is then
removed from the nanocomposite by dissolution in a
suitable etching solvent such as HF, hydrogen fluoride.
Plasma compaction techniques [27] can be used to form
nanoparticles of semiconductor compounds resulting in
improvements in the figure of merit. Nanoparticles can be
expected as reaction product after the reactant mixture is
subject to sufficient time, under prescribed temperature
and pressure. Plasma compaction apparatus may comprise
of two high strength pistons capable of compressive
pressure in the range of 100-1000 MPa to a sample of
nanoparticles that is disposed within a high strength
cylinder. The desired level of compaction is achieved by
varying the applied pressure, applied current and time
duration of the process.
In direct write lithography, [28] a tip can be used to pattern
a surface and prepare polymeric nanostructures.
Polymerization is initiated by the tip and pattern is formed.
Polymer brush nanostructures can be synthesized using
ROMP, ring opening metathesis polymerization. Edge
distances of less than 100 nm is possible and control over
feature size, shape and inter-feature distance is achievable.
Nanofluids [29] comprises of nanoparticles dispersed in a
suitable solvent. The surface to volume ration is increased
by 1000 times. Nanofluids are expected to have enhanced
thermal conductivity comparable that of copper [30].
Materials with pre-defined morphology can be made using
self-assembly of block copolymer principle [31].
Nanospheres, nanolamellae, nanopores both cylindrical
and spherical are possible using this approach. Thickness
of interfacial layer if 2-30 nm. Using PLD, pulse layered
deposition, pulses of laser are used to evaporate the
starting material [32] and then deposited into a substrate to
produce thin films with profound nanotechnological
significance. Typical temperature of evaporation surface
is 5000 K, average velocity of atoms in vapor flow is 2000
m/s and the expansion front moves at 6000 m/s. Laser
intensity is optimized for more efficient evaporation of
target.
18 different nanostructuring methods were reviewed by
Sharma [33]. Three different methods of synthesis of
CNTs, carbon nanotubes were compared side-side by side
[34]. Metal nanopowders can be isolated using gravity
methods [35,-37]. Rapid quenching of nanopowders in a
sub atmospheric fluidized bed was discussed [38].
Nanopore filters can be used in dialysis [39].
The solid colloid dynamics that can be expected in
nanocomposites [40,41] was discussed. The modified
laws of motion were used in the study. This included long
range, short range, dissipative and random forces. Smaller
the particle size is made the greater the tendency for it to
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International Journal of Engineering and Technology (IJET) – Volume 2 No. 2, February, 2012
agglomerate can be expected. An algorithm to determine
the particle size distribution and particle shape distribution
from data from SAXS [42], small angle x-ray scattering
device was developed. The size of the nanoparticle is less
than the wavelength of light that is 400 nm in the visible
region. The higher the scattering intensity the better are the
chances for the detection of the presence of nanoparticles
and determination of particle size distribution. The quality
of the nanoparticulatre morphology for the target topology
is evaluated using the entropic difference model.
Stochastic simulations [43,44] using the supercomputer
were used to better understand the process of spinodal
nucleation and in situ laser ablation. The Equation of
State, EOS for nanocomposite may be derived. This can be
used to derive the stability curves for exfoliation of
elastomeric nanocomposites. These simulations can be
used to predict performance properties such as ballistic
impact resistance [45].
Nanocomposites can be structured to prepare materials
with higher thermal conductivity compared with copper
[46, 47] for use in laptop computer casings and reducing
the weight of automobiles. Nanoprobes can be devices to
measure: (i) cellular signal [48]; (ii) nanobolometer to
measure chemical plumes [49]; (iii) fiber-optic
nanobiosensor [50]; (iv) nanoscale temperature
distribution [51]. Nanocomposites can be modeled and the
glass transition temperature of polymer nanocomposites
can be estimated [52,53].
5. THERMODYNAMIC STABILITY OF
NANOSTRUCTURES
The solvation thermodynamics define the stability of a
system. It can be stable, metastable or unstable. UCST and
LCST define the critical consolute temperatures of two
phase systems. When a supersaturated system is disturbed
the particles begin to nucleate, grow and form into stable
structures. The process can be arrested sufficiently early to
form nanosphere. But the free energy of formation of the
structure and the surface energy of the solid can be equated
with each other at equilibrium. For stability the free energy
has to be negative or equal to zero. From these criteria a
minimum stable size of the solid particle formed can be
calculated. This depends on the solid-liquid surface
tension values and other parameters of the system. In one
system for example, the engineering thermoplastic, ABS,
Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene, the smallest stable
butadiene particle size can be calculated as 200 nm from
Gibbs free energy. When attempted to be made any
smaller the rubber phase particles agglomerated with each
other to a size larger than 200 nm. It was reported by a
number of investigators that making the rubber particles
smaller and smaller was difficult. Maybe if they were
made into tubes, they can be made into nanotubes. The
free energy and surface energy analysis will still hold
good. The shape is different in the derivation.
The four thermodynamically stable forms of Carbon are
diamond, graphite, C60, Buckminster Fullerene and Carbon
Nanotube. It would be a challenge to extend the experience
gained in CNT to nanotubes made of other material other
than Carbon. It would also be interesting to form stable
spherical structures in the nanoscale dimensions without
agglomeration. At what scale would the quantum analysis
for atoms be applicable when compared with the
Newtonian mechanics used to describe macro systems.
Nanostructures of all the different shapes and Bravais
lattices in several materials need to be established.
Nanostructures that are known today and successfully used
in the industry are in the form of tubular morphology, gate
patterns of oxidation and packing transistors that leave
some features at the nanoscale dimensions. Why is tubular
morphology favored over spherical morphology during the
formation of carbon nanotubes [54-57]? The layered
materials of the nanoscale dimension made using Atomic
Layer Deposition techniques break no known laws of
thermodynamics. But one issue is the layer re-arrangement
due to Marangoni instability.
Thermodynamic miscibility of nanocomposites can be
calculated from the free energy of mixing.
G  H  TS
(1)
Where G is the free energy change of mixing the
dispersed and continuous systems, S is the entropic
change of mixing and T is the temperature of the blend.
The thermodynamic basis to explain miscibility in
nanocomposites is similar to the one seem in polymer
blends. In polymer blends, it is an exothermic heat of
mixing as entropic contributions are small for such
systems. Intramolecular repulsions may be an important
factor in realizing exothermic heats of mixing. This
approach was independently presented by Kambour,
Bendler and Bopp [58], Brinke, Karasz and MacKnight
[59] and Paul and Barlow [60].
An additional condition for stability for binary mixtures is
given by;
 2 Gm
0
i2
(2)
where i is the volume fraction of either component -any
suitable measure of the concentration can be used. This
model further assumes that the heat of mixing is described
by a van Laar expression [60];
Hm = (VA+VB)BAB
(3)
Where, B is the binary interaction energy density. The B
parameter is related to the Flory-Huggins interaction
parameter,  by;
~


B
 ~A  ~B   AB
RT V
VB
A
(4)
B is preferred since its basis is always clearly a unit
mixture of volume. The binary interaction model for the
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International Journal of Engineering and Technology (IJET) – Volume 2 No. 2, February, 2012
heat of mixing can be extended to multicomponent
mixtures as follows:
H m
  Biji j
V
i j
(5)
The sum in Eq. (5) excludes terms with i=j, and obviates
double counting of terms with i  j. Further, Bij = Bji
The sign of combinatorial entropy, always favors mixing,
its value is diminished for molecular weights of the order
of those for most important polymers. Thus, in the limit of
high molecular weights, the conditions of miscibility can
only be satisfied by a negative interaction parameter
leasing to the conclusion that exothermic mixing is a
requirement for miscibility in high molecular weight
polymer blends.
This is a simple model and cannot account for all the
issues of mixture thermodynamics. Interaction parameters
deduced from various phase behavior information are
often believed to include other effects other than purely
enthalpic ones. This way, the LCST (lower critical
solution temperature) behavior observed in polymer blends
can be explained and accounted for quantitatively. These
theories refine the binary interaction parameter by
removing extraneous effects. EOS effects do not favor
phase stability and the B parameter must be negative to
have miscibility in high molecular weight blends.
Interaction parameters used in the ensuing sections are not
limited to the Flory-Huggin framework and can be viewed
as ones free of equation of state effects.
The role of intramolecular repulsions as a causative factor
in driving blend miscibility can be seen readily by
considering mixtures of copolymers with homopolymers.
Reports in the literature indicate cases of miscibility
involving copolymers when their corresponding
homopolymers are not miscible. For instance pure
Polystyrene and pure polyacrylonitrile are not miscible
with poly methyl methacrylate. But the copolymer SAN is
miscible with PMMA over a range of AN compositions.
The same is the case with PEMA in place of PMMA.
Ethylene vinyl acetate, EVA copolymers are miscible with
polyvinyl chloride, PVC for a range of VA composition in
the copolymer. Neither polyethylene nor polyvinyl acetate
are miscible with PVC. In a similar fashion, ButadieneAcrylonitrile copolymers are found to be miscible with
PVC for a range of AN compositions. Similarly, polyAMS, alpha methyl styrene, AN copolymers are miscible
with PMMA and PEMA; poly o-chlorostryene-pcholorostryene copolymers are miscible with PPO, poly
pheylene oxide over a range of p-chlorostyrene
composition. The higher the phase separation temperature,
LCST, more negative is the binary interaction parameter.
The dispersion of particles in polymeric materials has
proven difficult and frequently results in phase separation
and agglomeration. Mackay et. al. [61] showed that
thermodynamically stable dispersion of nanoparticles into
a polymeric liquid is enhanced for systems where the
radius of gyration of the linear polymer is greater than the
radius of the nanoparticle. Dispersed nanoparticles swell
the linear polymer chains, resulting in a polymer radius of
gyration that grows with the nanoparticle volume fraction.
It was proposed that this entropically unfavorable process
is offset by an enthalpy gain due to an increase in
molecular contacts at dispersed nanoparticle surfaces as
compared with the surfaces of phase-separated
nanoparticles. Even when the dispersed state is
thermodynamically stable, it may be inaccessible unless
the correct processing strategy is adopted, which is
particularly important for the case of fullerene dispersion
into linear polymers. More on stability is given in Kumar
and Krishnamoorti [62].
6. NANOROBOTS IN NANOMEDICINE
According to Frietas [62] “Nanomedicine is the
preservation and improvement of human health using
molecular tools and molecular knowledge of the human
body." Tiny magnetically-driven spinning screws were
developed by Ishiyama et. al. [63,64]. These devices were
intended to swim along veins and carry drugs to infected
tissues or even to burrow into tumors and kill them with
supply of heat. Untethered microrobot containing
ferromagnetic particles under forces generated by MRI
magnetic fields were tested for travel through the human
anatomy at the NanoRobotic laboratory at Montreal,
Canada [65] in 2003.
7. MOLECULAR COMPUTING
When the limits of miniaturization of transistor packing
and gate width in silicon chips are reached where will
further increases in microprocessor speed come from? It
can come from biochemical nanocomputers. The area of
DNA computing was flagged off when a programmable
molecule computing machine composed of enzymes and
DNA molecules was unveiled in 2003 at Weizmann
Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel. The computer
operations were at a rate of 330 terraflops. This was
100,000 times faster than the personal computer. It was
entered into the Guinness Book of World records as the
„smallest biological computing device‟ ever constructed.
Molecular computing is expected to emerge when the
limits of miniaturization is realized in the silicon chips as
the key to further increases in computing speed. In 1994
the idea to use DNA, De-oxy-ribonucleic acid molecules
to store and process information took shape when a
scientist from California used DNA in a test tube to solve a
simple mathematical problem.
Designs of DNA
computers were drawn up where ATP molecules where
thrown in to provide a steady supply of energy and fuel.
The enzymes served as the hardware and the DNA served
as the software. The ways in which molecules undergo
chemical reactions with each other allow simple computer
operations to be performed as byproduct of the reactions.
The devices are programmed by scientists by controlling
the composition of DNA software. A trillion biomolecular
devices can be fitted into a single drop of water. Results
are analyzed by a method where the length of the DNA
output molecule is seen, in place of computer monitor.
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International Journal of Engineering and Technology (IJET) – Volume 2 No. 2, February, 2012
Rudimentary operations are performed by this computer.
Self-organization of molecules are used in the design of
molecular computation. This give rise to the field of
molecular electronics. Processing in biological systems are
used to device nanomachines. The autonomous formation
of complex nanostructures are considered as one type of
computation. In a cellular computer, membrane proteins
are expected as I/O, input/output devices. Living cells are
tapped into and the signal transduction functions are used
for computations.
DNA computing was born when Aldeman [66] in 1994
proposed a molecular algorithm to solve the Hamiltonian
path problem with DNA and solved an instance of a
directed graph with 7 nodes. The parallelism of DNA
molecules were exploited. This offered faster solution of
NP complete problems. Reactions at the nanoscale are
used to perform computations with less energy. Several
nanofabrication techniques were developed in the area of
DNA nanotechnology. Scientists are beginning to obtain a
better handle on the electric charge distribution in DNA
and the charge transfer observed in DNA is used in device
of novel molecular electronic circuits. The automata and
the computational model are implemented using hairpin
formed DNA molecules. The PCR, polymerase chain
reaction that is found during DNA transcription and
translation is tapped into. Autonomous assembly of
molecular structures are used in devising DNA
computation in the solid phase. The number of DNA
molecules needed for effecting automated molecular
computation are calculated. Suyama and Yoshida [67]
studied the application of DNA computer to biotechnology
such as gene expression analysis and molecular memory.
In aqueous computing, the write once memory is
represented by double stranded circular DNA. Plasmid
contains multiple regions whose terminals are flanked by
restriction sites. The write operation is implemented by
removing a particular region using specific restriction
enzyme.
Head and Yamamura [68] proposed the
molecular solution with write once memory to obtain
solutions of NP complete problems as Max-Clique.
8. MOLECULAR MACHINES
Molecular machines are molecules that can with an
appropriate stimulus be temporarily lifted out of
equilibrium and can return to equilibrium in the observable
macroscopic properties of the system.
There is
considerable „debate‟ in the literature as the exact
constitution and properties of molecular machines. The
controlled motions of synthetic molecular systems have
been harnessed to cause observable macroscopic changes
in bulk systems as a result of stereochemical
rearrangement at the molecular level. The construction of
molecular machines has been enabled by:

Progress in Organic Synthesis – Living Free Radical
Polymerizations, Asymmetric Catalysis, Metal
Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions, Metathesis

Powerful Computational Techniques

Advent of Collection of Powerful Single Molecule
Analytical Tools
The design of molecular components is constructed in
such a fashion as to interact favorably with each other and
that they can self-organize and self-assemble into larger
well defined architectures. The advances in spectroscopic
techniques are also tapped into.
The Nobel Prize in 1998 for chemistry went to Pople and
Kohn for computing accurately many physical and
electronic properties that have particular relevance to
molecular machines and electronics. Self-Assembled
Monolayers, SAMs, Langmuir-Blodgett techniques for
creation of monolayer, softlithographic techniques, etching
the surface, AFM, atomic force microscopy, STM,
scanning tunnelling microscopy, XPS, photoelectron
spectroscopy, ellipsometry and x-ray reflectometry are
used in the manufacture of molecular machines.
It is difficult to create molecular actuators. The Feynman
ratchet can be a violation of the second law of
thermodynamics and may be a PMM1 or PMM2, perpetual
motion machine 1. Actuation can be achieved by a
„walking mechanism‟ using a class of motor proteins
called kinesins. The muscle contraction and expansion
involves such chemical changes. ATP hydrolysis and whip
like and sinusoidal movements of cilia and flagella enable
them to transport cells throughput the body. Based on
these observations, molecular machines, molecular
shuttles, switches, muscles, nanovalves, rotors and
surfaces with controlled wettability are being created.
Example chemicals involved in such constructs are
rotaxane molecules. Calixarenes in the cone formation has
an interval cavity able to host guest molecules of
complementary size. The inclusion of guests in solid state
has been studies in a polar medium. The solvation
phenomena is of interest. The host-guest association is
governed by columbic attractions such as: i) Steric; ii)
Entropic; iii) Solvation. Rotaxane synthesis involves
calixarene
wheels.
During
the
synthesis
of
pseudorotaxanes, calixarene derivatives as host for
QUATS, triphenylureidocalixarene derivative. The
structure of pseudorotaxene can be studied using X-ray
techniques.
Molecular shuttle consists of a ring component that is
mechanically interlocked onto a dumbbell shaped
component and is able to shuttle between two recognition
sites as a result of thermal activation by non-covalent
interactions. Molecular switches are compounds that can
be externally stimulated to exist in either of two
observably different states or conformers. Molecular
muscle is able to expand and contract reversibly upon
external stimulation. Molecular valves can be used to trap
and release other molecules as a result of controlled
molecular motions. Molecular rotors undergo controlled
rotational motion of a rotor until relative to a stator which
are controlled via an axle. The surfaces with controlled
wettability can be stimulated to be hydrophobic or
hydrophilic.
Mechanical movements of tetracationic
cyclophane CBPQT along a diaminobenzene containing
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International Journal of Engineering and Technology (IJET) – Volume 2 No. 2, February, 2012
thread that is tethered to a Gold surface can be observed. A
two electron reduction of the CBPQT ring erases the
favorable binding interactions that exist along the ring host
and diaminobenzene guest with an electron transfer rate of
80 Hz. The oxidative electron transfer rate is 1100 Hz.
Reversible redox-controllable mechanical motions of the
interlocked molecule on a gold surface can be detected. A
contracted structure can be generated by contraction of
bistable dimmer by quantitative demodulation of the
cuprous ions using KCN followed by treatment with
Zn(NO3)2.
Technologists are developing molecular nanovalves,
irreversible thin film regulators, light regulated
azobenzene and coumarin valves, supramolecular
gatekeepers, reversible nanovalves, polymeric valves,
biological nanovalves, etc. Rotation is one of the three
fundamental molecular motions: a) translation; b) rotation
and; c) vibration. Scientists at UCLA, university of
California at Los Angeles, have demonstrated controlled
unidirectional rotation of a tryptycene rotor unit relative to
a helacine stator that is connected by a carbon-carbon
single bond axle using phosgene as chemical fuel. The
difluorophenylene rotor has been used as molecular
compass and gyroscope.
9. SUPRAMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY
These are highly complex chemical systems made form
components
interacting
through
non-covalent
intermolecular forces. It occurs in the interface of biology
and physics [69] Strands of nucleic acids allow for huge
amounts of information to be stored, retrieved and
processed via weak hydrogen bonds. The principles in
molecular information in chemistry were developed from
these observations.
Interactional algorithms were
developed through molecular recognition events based on
well-defined interaction patterns such as hydrogen
bonding arrays, sequences of donor and acceptor groups
and ion coordination sites. The goal here is to gain
progressive control over complex spatio structural and
temporal dynamic features of matter through selforganization. The design and investigation of preorganized molecular receptors that are capable of binding
specific substrates with high efficiency and selectivity are
undertaken. The three themes are:
i) Molecular
Recognition; ii) Self-Organization and iii) Adaptation and
Evolution.
Supramolecular materials offers alternative to top-down
miniaturization and bottom-up nanofabrication. Selffabrication is effected by controlled assembly of ordered,
fully integrated and connected operational systems by
hierarchical growth. The field of adaptive/evolutive
chemistry emerged. Adaptive chemistry implies a selection
and growth under time reversibility. The era of Darwinistic
chemistry has dawned. The goal here is to merge design
and selection in self-organization to perform self-design in
which function driven selection among suitably instructed
dynamic species generates the optimal organized and
functional entity in a post Darwinian process. Chemical
„learning‟ systems cannot be instructed but can be trained.
Time is irreversible. The passage is from closed systems to
open and coupled systems that are connected spatially and
temporally to their surroundings. Investigators are
progressively unraveling the complexification of matter
through self-organization.
Molecular computing is expected to emerge when the
limits of miniaturization is realized in silicon chips as the
key to further increases in computing speed. DNA
molecules and enzymes and biochemical reactions can be
used to realize faster operations compared even with a
transistors packed silicon chip microprocessor. They can
be used to store and process information. DNA computing
started with the molecular algorithm to solve the
Hamiltonian path problem. NP complete problems can be
treated. Molecular machines can be devised using the
better understanding of stereochemistry. Construction of
molecular machines is driven by: i) progress in organic
synthesis; ii) powerful computation techniques; iii) advent
of single molecule analytical tools. Well defined
architectures can be obtained by self-assembly. SAMS,
Langmuir-Blodgett films, soft lithography, AFM, STM,
XPS etc can be used to manufacture molecular machines.
When designing molecular architectures the second law of
thermodynamics should not be violated. Rotaxane
molecules are used to create molecular shuttles, molecular
switches, molecular nanovalves, molecular muscles,
molecular rotors and surfaces with controlled wettability.
Supramolecular materials offers alternative to top-down
miniaturization and bottom-up fabrication. Selforganization principles holds the key.
Gene expression studies can be carried out in biochips.
Target biological materials are examined using fluorescent
probes in glass slides packed with thousands of genes.
Disease states can be better understood using biochips and
cures from better drug design can be effected. Microarray
industry is expected to grow in a similar fashion to the
microprocessor revolution. A microarray is an ordered
array of microscopic elements in a planar substrate that
allows for specific binding of gene or gene products. In
order to qualify as microarray, the analytical device must
be ordered, microscopic, planar and specific. Microarrays
are evolving into nanoarrays with the dot size decreasing
to the nanoscale. One goal of microarray analysis is to
eradicate every human disease by the year 2050. Some of
the interesting applications of biochips lie in the areas of
gene expression, drug delivery, genetic screening and
diagnostics, gene profiling, understanding mechanism of
aging, the study of cancer, etc.
The confocal scanning microscope can be used in
microarray detection where fluorescence scanning is used.
The sample is excited by a laser beam, and fluorescence
light is emitted from the probe in the sample and can be
detected using the difference in wavelength of 24 nm
between excitation and emitted light beams. Epiillumination is used in the scanning process. The
excitation and emitted beams pass through the objective
lens to and from the sample but in opposite directions.
PMT is used as a detecting element. The instrument
performance measures are number of lasers and
fluorescence channels, detectivity, sensitivity, crosstalk,
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International Journal of Engineering and Technology (IJET) – Volume 2 No. 2, February, 2012
resolution, field size, uniformity, image geometry,
throughput and superposition of signal sources. High
quality surfaces are needed for the preparation of
microarray samples. An ideal microarray surface has to be
dimensional, flat, planar, uniform, inert, efficient and
accessible.
Optimal target concentration occurs at a spacing of 1 DNA
target molecule per 20 A. The probe duplex is
approximately 24 A. Optimal probe concentration is the
number of probe molecules per unit volume of sample that
provides the strongest signal in a microarray assay.
Microarrays of oligonucleotides can be prepared by using
delivery or synthesis methods. The four steps in process of
oligonucleotide synthesis are deprotection, coupling,
capping and oxidation. The three manufacturing methods
used during microarray manufacture are ink jet printing,
mechanical micro spotting and photolithography. Stepwise
coupling efficiency can be defined to gauge the quality of
microarray synthesis. Linker molecules can be used to
increase the efficiency of hybridization and DNA
attachment at the surface. The time taken for ink-jet
printing when jets or pins or used are compared against
each other.
Statistical normalization procedures can be used to remove
systematic variations in nanoarray experiments that affects
the measured gene expression levels. Speed developed a
normalization procedure using gene expression data from
lipid metabolism in mice. He used housekeeping genes
that have constant levels of expression across variety of
conditions. Differentially expressed genes were identified
by computing the t statistics. Global normalization
methods, M vs A plot, paired-slide normalization, within
slide normalization and multiple-slide normalization
methods are discussed.
Sequence alignment [69] can be used to develop cures for
autoimmune disorders, in phylogenetic tree construction,
identify polypeptide microstructure, in shot gun
sequencing, during drug design, in protein secondary
structure determination, in protein folding, clone analysis,
protein classification, etc. Optimal global alignment and
local alignment can be obtained using dynamic
programming. Speedups can be achieved using greedy
algorithm for nearly aligned sequences. Dynamic array can
be used to cut the space required form O(n2). PAM and
Blossum matrices provide different penalty that are
specific to the sequences aligned. Sharma discussed Xdrop algorithm, banded diagonal methods, sparse tables,
staircase tables, super sequence, inverse dynamic
programming, and stability of alignment, suffix tree
construction, generalized suffix tree procedures, and the
advantages of using them. String algorithms can be used
find patterns P in a text T. 19 such algorithms were
discussed.
Markov models are discussed for varying orders. Three
questions in HMM, i.e., the evaluation, the decoding and
the learning were reviewed. The speed up obtained using
the forward algorithm, backward algorithm and viterbi
algorithm were clarified. Gene finding algorithms were
touched upon. Advances made in protein secondary
structure prediction were traced from Chou and Fasman
rules, to Qian and Sejnowski‟s neural networks, to the
PHD server of Rost and Sander where evolutionary
information was used to effect improvement in prediction
accuracy. HMMs, DAG-RNNs. BRNN, can be used for
protein secondary structure prediction.
Role of polymer nanoparticle in drug delivery applications
were discussed. Some of the challenges in drug delivery
are continuous release of agents over extended periods of
time, local delivery of agents at pre-determined rates to
local sites such as tumors, improved ease of
administration. Polymer drug delivery systems can be
nanoscopic. Self-assembled liposomes and micelles can
accomplish the task. Drugs can be encapsulated in the
polymer particles. Nanostructuring operations need to be
compatible with the drugs. Nanoencapsulation of living
cells can be effects by polymer precipitation, gelling and
complexing polymer.
10. CNRs
COLLECTIVES
NANOROBOTS
OF
Prospective medical applications of nanorobots include: (i)
cardiovascular health; (ii) immune system function; (iii)
cancer and diabetes; (iv) drug delivery mechanisms and
diagnostics. CNRs are a new generation of self-organizing
collectives of intelligent nanorobots. This new technology
includes procedures for interactions between objects with
their environment resulting in solutions of critical
problems at the nanoscopic level. Social intelligence and
self-organization are used in the development of the
technology. Self-organizing entities are constructed from
analogies from living species. Models on social
intelligence are developed from observations of behaviors
of insects. Chemical markers such as pheromones are used
by individual organism to communicate a social goal.
Interoperation of microbes and pathogens with the immune
system of the organism leads to life/death of host.
Intracellular models have been developed that can be used
to show how proteins interact and how the functions
governed by protein signals come about.
Biomimetic materials are designed to mimic a natural
biological material. For example, the third mercaptus bone
in horse‟s leg is used as target for design of aerospace
materials. Worm micelles are prepared that resemble linear
proteins found in cytoskeleton filament and collagen
fibers. Copolymers with block microstructure have been
found to self-assemble and organize into periodic
nanophases. Molecular shape is found to be a function of
fraction of hydrophilic fraction. Polymerosomes or
vesicles can be formed by self-assembly of PEO-PBd in
water. Lipid vesicles are formed into different
morphologies such as starfish, tube, pear and string of
pearl shapes. Worms with less than 10 nm diameters and
membrane with 3 nm thicknesses have been observed.
Stability of protein folding can be studied using selfassembly. Many biological membrane processes can be
mimicked by synthetic polymer vesicles.
The equilibrium kinetics of self-assembly reactions were
discussed. A cooperativity parameter is defined along with
the equilibrium rate constant. Example system used to
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International Journal of Engineering and Technology (IJET) – Volume 2 No. 2, February, 2012
illustrate the mathematical treatment is tropomyosin.
Amino acids in position 1 and 4 are hydrophobic and in
positions 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 are hydrophilic. Banding on helix
structures comes about.
One property if biomaterials worthy of mimicking is
capable of self-repair. Biomimetic mechanisms are stored
in databases. Hydroxyapetite and collagen were used to
prepare bone like nanocomposite. Howship‟s lacunae are
cavities created by osteoclastic bone resorption.
Hydroxyapetite form on Langmuir Blodgett monolayers.
There is interfacial interaction between hydroxyapetite and
collagen. Substitution process of composites to new bone
occurs in stages similar to autogeneous bone
transplantation: a) erosion of body fluid and formation of
composite debris; b) phagocytosis of debris; c) resorption
of composite and d) induction of osteoblast to the
resorption lacunae. Reconstruction of a critical bone defect
in beagles‟ tibia was examined for possible clinical use.
The iridescence if insects and structural colors of plants
are not well understood. Optical thickness of a dielectric
stack layer of alternating thickness and wave length of
maximum constructive interference was quantitated. Two
lycaenid butterflies were studied for development of
iridescence. The mechanism of biomineralization in
molluscs have been studied by investigation of „flat
pearls‟. Rhombohedral calcite morphology, spherulite
calcite morphology and aragonite needles are formed
under different conditions. Argonite tablet growth was
studied using AFM. Crystal CdS with rock salt
morphology was synthesized in films made up of PEO.
Efficient film formation needs clean substrate. Polyion
multilayer films are characterized by SAXR, small angle
x-ray spectroscopy. Quartz crystal microbalance is used to
measure mass charges in nanogram quantity materials.
Mechanism of PMF film formation was studied by using
AFM. Polysaccharide containing PMF biopolymers have
been prepared. Adsorption kinetics depends on ionic
strength. A polymer/biopolymer hybrid such as DNA and
PAH were formed into a film containing alternating layers.
Film containing streptavidin, glucose isomerase etc were
discussed. Assembly of thin films is by sequential
adsorption. 3 dimensional controls of film composition
and properties are discussed.
Protein scaffold/biomimetic membrane material was
discussed. Membrane material is a complex fluid made up
of a mixture of a lipid, polymer amphiphile, a cosurfactant. It undergoes thermoreversible phase changes
and exists as liquid below a certain threshold temperature
and liquid crystalline gel above that temperature.
Biomimetic nanostructures are used to examine soft tissue
cellular wounds and dry sensing and development and
nerve regeneration. Smart materials are developed that
undergo a property change in response to environmental
stimuli. These materials are used in drug delivery systems.
Magnetic pigment used in magnetite memory storage
devices with a maghemite phase of size ranging between
300-350 nm using biomimetic method was patented by
CSIR, India [70]. Longitudinal recording requires acicular
shape. Molecular identification can be prepared using
biomimetic sensors. High specificity requirements lead to
development of Raman spectroscope.
The surface
enhanced Raman scattering SERS nanostructure is shown
in Figure 7.2. Nanoparticles can be photogenerated.
Development of the new generation of technology of
CNRs still have to cross a few technical hurdles. These
hurdles include: (i) building these nanorobots; (ii) connect
nanodevices; (iii) develop power source; (iv) develop
nanorobotic computation; (v) develop nanorobotic
functionality; (vi) develop communication systems; (vii)
develop multi-functionality; (viii) develop systems in
which nanorobots work together; (ix) identify distinct
nanorobotic collective behaviors; (x) activate nanorobotic
functionality; (xi) activate computer programming; (xii)
develop external tracking; (xiii) develop external
activation; (xiii) use artificial intelligence; (xiv) reorganize
nanorobot aggregates; (xv) develop sensors; (xvi) organize
competing, cooperating teams of nanorobots; (xvii)
emulate biological processes.
Recent developments in collective robotics have derived
inspiration from complex real life phenomena. Examples
of complex social behavior include flocking, herding and
schooling. Ant algorithms is the state of the art in
emulation of natural processes. Another system worthy of
emulation is the immunological defense system of human
anatomy. Evolutionary computing is a field that where
emulation of biological processes of evolution is a high
priority. Generic algorithms are developed from emulation
of generational behavior of polpulations. Inspiration can
be derived from the “bee-hive” operation. Specialist roles
and coordination of tasks are examples of what came from
emulation. Self-organizing models are used to aggregate,
reaggregate collection of robots.
Nanorobots have characteristics lengths of 100 nm – 1 m.
A WBC, white blood cell with 100,000 molecules fits into
this domain. At this size the scrutiny is mesoscopic in
nature and note molecular or macroscopic. Organic
material have been combined in creative ways and novel
bacterial and viral organisms have been created. This is
sort of artificial Darwinian system. Toxicity of an virus
can be toggled off by use of recombinant DNA
technology. Synthetic biology techniques can be used to
engineer a new species. Biomimetic chemisty is used to
synthesize organic molecules that emulate biological
behavior. DNA and RNA parts and raw aminoacids are
combined and novel genetic structures are created. Reverse
engineering can be used in observation of natural protein
behaviors emanating from specific gene sequences. Gene
targeting techniques may used for this purpose. Natural
proteins can be engineered from customized specific gene
sequences. Small molecule ligangs can be allowed to bind
to proteins resulting in change of the protein function.
Protein-protein interactions are disrupted. At Harvard
university, an autonomous molecular computer is arranged
that performs specific cellular functions. Biomolecular
computer can be used in diagnosis of disease and
administration of drug on demand.
A CNR, collective nanorobots system was patented by
Solomon Research [71] in 2008. Drugs are allowed to be
delivered and regulated more effectively to precise targets.
These methods are used in cardiovascular applications,
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International Journal of Engineering and Technology (IJET) – Volume 2 No. 2, February, 2012
diabetes treatment, intracellular cancer therapies, cauterize
wounds in patients with emergency trauma, in nerve cells
to block pain signals, enamel repair, repair of nerve
damage, hoemerage in dental applications and iun
neurosurgery. The human anatomy can be mapped.
CNRs are used in insulin regulation. The pancreas
produces insulin for regulation of glucose in the blood
flow. Islets of Langerhans are the insulin secreting part of
pancreas. Each of the million islets contain about 1000
cells that are structured in clusters. Pancreatic islets
operate under a mechanism of amyloidogenesis in order to
create amyloid polypeptides. 4 types of cells are created at
the islets” (i) alpha cells were production and inhibition of
glucagen takes place; (ii) Delta cells were somatostatin is
produced; (iii) insulin and; (iv) glucagons. Polypeptides
are secreted by pancreatic cells that ends up supressing the
secretion and stimulating gastric secretion. Paracrine
feedback system is created by activation of beta cells by
insulin and inhibition of alpha cells, by activation of beta
and delta cells by glucagon, inhibition of alpha and beta
cells by somatostatin. Self-organizing system taps into
paracrine and autocrine communication between the islets.
The signals are affected by chemical messengers. Obesity
and Type II diabetes can be found when too much fat and
carbohuydrate are taken in the diet. CNRs can be used to
regulate insulin. CNRs go beyond the paracrine and
autocrine mechanims of communication. CNRs can be
used to emulate proper functioning of iselts of Langerhans.
A glycation process is conducted by CNRs whereby the
blood sugar is treated with insulin. CNRs can be
organized into an artificial implantable device that can be
used in emulation of workings of a pancreas. Selfregulating pump is constructed. The pancreas-like device
is exteral and can be adorned.
11. DEVELOPMENTS
APPLICATIONS
IN
NANOROBOT
A nanorobot to measure surface properties was patented
[72]. This technology is 10-20 years in the future. The
nanorobot unit has a manipulation unit and an end effector.
The end effector can be a senor or made to move as close
as possible to the surface of interest. The drive device has
piezoelectric drives. The resolution of the measurement
can be in the nanometer range and the actual measurement
in the centimeter range. The nanorobot is made sensitive in
all directions, in multiple dimensions. It can operate under
vacuum. Surface roughness can be measured using
nanorobots.
Geophysical formation of hydrocarbons at deeper portions
of the earth‟s mantle can be studied using nanorobots [73].
Nanorobots of the size of less than 500 nm are inserted
into the formation region. The nanorobots are allowed to
propel through the formation. Fluids and conditions
surrounding the nanorobots are studied using a computer
in the surface of the earth. Communication between the
nanorobots and the computer on the surface is via a sereis
of radio frequency receivers and transmitters located at the
wellbore. A 3 dimensional map of the formation is
developed on the remote computer. Pockets of
hydrocarbons and their territories are marked and shown
clearly in the map. The untethered robots are positioned
within the geophysical formation. The body of the
nanorobot is made of CNT, carbon nanotubes that are
capable of operations at 300 F. Kalman filters can be used
to filter out the random white noise from signals from
seismic exploration.
A patent was developed [74] for minimally invasive
procedure by means of DPR, Dynamic Physical
Rendering. Use of “intelligent”, “autonomous” particles
were made. An interventional aid is formed with the aid of
self-organizing nanorobots. These nanorobots were made
of catoms. C-arm angiography are used to monitor DPR
procedures. A 3 dimensional image data record on target
region is obtained. The determined form was converted to
a readable and executable program code for the catoms of
the nanorobots. The determined form was transferred to a
storage unit. The program code was executed in order to
achieve self-organization in the unstructured catoms that
were introduced in the target region. The execution of the
program was triggered by a timer or position sensor. The
intervention aid is used as a endovascular target region.
Nanocrystal with motor properties was patented [75].
Reciprocating motor is formed by a substrate, atom
reservoir, nanoparticle ram and nanolever. The
nanoparticle ram is contacted by the nanolever resulting in
movement of atoms between the reservoir and the ram.
Substrate and nanolever are made of MWNTs, multiwalled nanotubes made of Iridium. The substrate used was
a silicon chip.
Nanoscale oscillator [76] was patented by Sea Gate
technology, Scots Valley, CA. A microwave output is
generated by application of a DC current that is allowed to
pass through layers of magnetic structure separated by
nanometer dimensions. Spin Momentum Transfer, SMT is
a phenomena realized to exist in 1989. It can be used in
MRAM devices. Phase-locked microwave spin transfer is
the next advance of the technology. The electric current
produced is in the GHz spectrum. The local magnetic field
source is used in the application of a magnetic field to a
free layer of spin momentum transfer stack. The magnetic
source can be from a horseshoe magnet with poles
stationed above and below the SMT stack. The magnetic
source can take on other forms such as helical coil that
surrounds the SMT or pancake type coils above and below
the SMT stack or an annular pole and a coil that surround
the stack. A permanent magnet may be planted above the
stack. SMT stack consists of a top electrode, a free layer,
a non-magnetic layer a pinned magnetic structure and a
bottom electrode.
Nanowhiskers can be grown by control of nucleation
conditions [77]. Nanowhisker formation on substrates can
be made using the VLS, vapor-liquid-solid mechanism. A
particle of catalyst material is placed on a substrate is
heated in the presence of gases until it melts. A pillar is
allowed to form under the melt. As the melt rises up on top
of the pillar and a nanowhisker is formed. Miller direction
<111> may be a preferred growth direction of the
whiskers. The catalytic property is present at the interface
of whisker and air. InP nanowhiskers, for example, were
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International Journal of Engineering and Technology (IJET) – Volume 2 No. 2, February, 2012
grown using metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy.
Characterization of nanowhiskers is by electron
microscopy. MOVPF is low pressure metal-orgaic vapor
phase epitaxy process. 50 nm aerosol gold particles were
deposited on InP substrate. This was placed on a
horizontal reactor cell heated by radio frequency heated
graphite suceptor. Hydrogen was used as carrier gas.
Temperatuer was ramped tp 420 0 C for 5 min. The molar
fraction of flow rate in the cell was 0.015. Nanowhisker
growth was found to commence upon addition of TMI,
trimethylindium. The molar fraction of TMI was 3
millionth. Typical growth time for production of
nanowhiskers was found to be 8 minutes.
12. CNTs, CARBON NANOTUBES
CNTs are rolled graphene sheets of atoms about its needle
axis. They are 0.7-100 nm diameter and a few microns in
length. Carbon hexagons are arranged in a concentric
manner with both ends of the tube capped by pentagon
containing Buckminster fullerene type structure. They
possess excellent electrical, thermal and toughness
properties. Young‟s modulus of CNT has been estimated
at 1 TPa and yield strength of 120 GPa. S. Ijima verified
fullerene in 1991 and observed multi-walled CNT formed
from carbon arc discharge.
Five different methods of synthesis of CNTs are discusses.
These are: a) Arc Discharge [78]; b) Laser Ablation [79];
c) CVD [80-81]; d) HIPCO Process [81] and e) Surface
Mediated Growth of Vertically Aligned Tubes [83]. The
arc discharge process was developed by NEC in 1992.
Two graphite rods are connected to a power supply spaced
a few mm apart. At 100 amps carbon vaporizes and forms
hot plasma. Typical yield are 30 – 90%. The SWNT,
MWNT are short tubes with diameters 0.6 – 1.4 nm in
diameter. It can be synthesized open air. Product needs
purification. CVD process was invented by Nagano,
Japan. The substrate is placed in oven, heated to 600 0 C
and a carbon bearing gas such as methane is slowly added.
As the gas decomposes it frees up the carbon atoms which
recombine as a nanotube. Yield range is 20-100%. Long
tubes with diameter ranging from 0.6 – 4 nm were formed.
It can be easily scaled up to industrial production. The
SWNT diameter is controllable. The tubes are usually
multi-walled and riddled with defects. Laser vaporization
process was developed by Smalley in 1996. The graphite
is blasted with intense laser pulses to generate carbon gas.
Prodigious amount of SWNTs are formed. Yield of up to
70% is found. Long bundles of tubes 5-20 m with
diameters in the range of 1-2 nm are formed. The product
formation is primarily SWNTs. Good diameter control is
possible and few defects are found in the product.
Reaction product is pure. The process is expensive.
The HIPCO process was also developed by Smalley in
1998. A gaseous catalyst precursor is rapidly mixed with
carbon monoxide, CO in a chamber at high pressure and
temperature. Catalyst precursor decomposes and nanoscale
metal particles form the decomposition product. CO reacts
on the catalyst surface and form solid carbon and gaseous
CO2, carbon dioxide. The carbon atoms roll up into CNTs.
100% of the product is SWNT and the process is highly
selective. Samsung patented a method for vertically
aligning CNTs on a substrate. A CNT support layer is
stacked on the substrate filled with pores. SAM, selfassembled monolayer is arranged on the surface of the
substrate. On end of each of the CNTs are attached
portions of the SAM exposed through the pores formed
between the colloid particles present in the support layer.
CNTS can be vertically aligned on the substrate having the
SAM on it with the help of pores formed between the
colloid particles.
CNTs possess interesting physical properties [84].
Thermal conductivity of CNTs are in excess of 2000
w/m/K.
They have unique electronic properties.
Applications include electromagnetic shielding, electron
field emission displays for computers and other high –tech
devices, photovoltaic, super capacitors, batteries, fuel
cells, computer memory, carbon electrodes, carbon foams,
actuators, material for hydrogen storage and adsorbents.
CNTs can be produced with different morphologies [85].
Examples of different morphologies include SWNT,
DWNT, MWNT, nano-ribbon, nano-sheet, nano-peapod,
linear and branched CNTs, conically overlapping bamboolike tubule, branched Y shaped tubule, nano-rope,
nanowires, nanofilm. Processes are developed to prepare
CNTs with desired morphology. Phase separated
copolymers/stabilized blends of polymers can be
pyrolyzed along with sacrificial material to form the
desired morphology. The sacrificial material is changed
to control the morphology of the product. Self-assembly
of block copolymers can lead to 20 different complex
phase separated morphologies. Often times as is the
precursor so is the product. Therefore even more variety of
CNT morphologies can be synthesized.
13. CHARACTERIZATION
NANOSTRUCTURES
OF
Needs for characterization of nanostructures are on the
rise. Resolution limits of optical microscopes are of the
order of wavelength of light. Per the Raleigh criterion, the
resolution limit of optical microscopes is of the order of
200 nm. In order to characterize nanoscale materials, xray and helium ion microscopes are needed. Optical
microscopes, scanning electron microscope, transmission
electron microscope, scanning probe microscope and
helium ion microscope have increasing powers of
resolution in the mentioned order.
Structural information in the scale of 2-25 nm can be
characterized using SAXS [86]. Monochromatic source of
x-rays are used to excite the sample and scattered x-rays
are detected by 2-dimensional flat x-ray detector.
Structure is deduced from patterns in the scatter.
Interpretation of scattered pattern can be accomplished
using Porad‟s law and Guiner approximation, Fourier
transformation, etc. Thin films, multi-layered systems,
oriented
nanoparticles
with
different
chemical
compositions,
colloids,
proteins
solutions,
nanocomposites, micelles, fiber structures, etc, can be
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International Journal of Engineering and Technology (IJET) – Volume 2 No. 2, February, 2012
studied using SAXS. WAXS, GISAXS, SWAXS are
techniques that are variations of SAXS.
TEM, transmission electron microscopes have higher
resolution power. Sample preparation for TEM analysis
[87] is complex and the thickness of the sample has to be
down to a few hundred nanometers. An electron beam is
produced from a tungsten filament subjected to a high
voltage. Electrons are allowed to pass through the
specimen. With HRTEM, high resolution transmission
electron microscope, resolutions achievable are as small as
1 A. TEM is used in life sciences, biomedical
investigations, diagnostic tool in pathology, imaging of
atoms, oligopeptides, nanogold, self-assembled nanotubes.
It can also be used as an elemental analysis tool in addition
to EDXA, energy dispersive x-ray analysis and at low
temperatures as cryo-TEM.
Magnification in SEM, scanning electron microscope
ranges from 25-250,000 and resolution size is down to 1 –
25 nm. Electron gun is used to generate electron beams.
Spatial resolution of SEM depends on the wavelength of
the electron and electro-optical system that produces the
scanning beam. Resolution at an atomic scale is not
possible as can be with the case of TEM and HeIM. The
electrons generated are focused as a spot with nanoscale
dimensions.
Electrons upon impingement with the
specimen undergo elastic scattering, inelastic scattering
and back scattering. Raster scanning is used to image
surfaces. Surface topography, composition and other
properties can be obtained from raster scan.
Topographical map on atomic scale can be generated using
SPM, scanning probe microscope [88,89].
Neither
electrons nor light is used for formation of images.
Magnification of higher than 1 billion is possible. A tiny
probe with a sharp tip is brought in close proximity to
within 1 nm of specimen surface and then raster scanned.
Nanoscale defects, bio molecules and silicon
microprocessors can be characterized using SPM. They
can also be used to prepare nanostructures. Dip Pen
lithography, DPN, is such a technique. Tiny probe tip is
used as „pen‟ to write structures consisting of a few
molecules. STMs can be used to obtain conductance and
current/distance measurements, AFM can be used for
lateral force and adhesion measurements, NFOM can be
used for laser transmission at various wave lengths and
MFM can be used for temperature and other parameters.
Quantum dots contain 10-100 electrons in devices of
dimensions of (500 nm)2.
Photocurrent induced in
quantum dots can be measured. The influence of high
frequency microwave radiation [90] on single electron
tunnelling through a single quantum dot was used in
microwave spectroscopy. Elemental composition of test
specimen can be obtained using Auger Electron
Microscope. Detection limits are 0.1% of the atomic
composition of the elements. Spatial resolution is about
300 nm. Depth resolution is about 10 nm and typical
analysis is 30 minutes per sample.
Raman microscope [91] is designed based on the Raman
effect. Molecular types can be obtained from the scattering
information. Raman microscopes can be used to study
gene expression and DNA sequence distribution. SERS,
surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy can be used to
detect single nucleotide molecules. SERS includes a laser
light source that excites the molecule and a detection unit
for capturing Raman emission emanating from the
molecule.
STM evolved into AFM, [92] atomic force microscope.
Fraction of nanometer resolution can be achieved using
AFM. Specimen surface is scanned using a micro scale
cantilever with a probe at its end with a sharp tip with a
radius of curvature of a few nanometers. Laser source
excites the sample. The laser light is reflected by the
deflected cantilever. The reflected light is captured by
avalanche of photodiodes. Individual atoms can be
imaged using AFM.
HeIM, Helium ion microscope [93] was developed as an
alternative to electron microscope. Helium ions possess
shorter wavelengths compared with electrons. A space
resolution of 0.24 nm was achieved by Orion HeIM. This
is close to the diameter of a single atom and is three times
better in resolution compared with the electron
microscopes. Individual atoms can be looked at. HeIMs
can be operated in RBI and secondary electron mode.
Freitas [94] went over the technologies needed for the
atomically precise fabrication of diamandoid nanorobots
in large scale with further cost reductions. For example the
Arizona process to manufacture fullerenes was $25,000/kg
[5]. This cost was reduced to $200/kg in the combustion
synthesis process [8]. They say that enabling diamandoid
nanofactories
will
require:
(i)
advances
in
mechanosynthesis of diamond; (ii) advances in
programmable positional assembly; (iii) improvements in
massively parallel positional assembly and; (iv)
improvements in nanomechanical design. Cavalcanti et. al.
[95] discuss how nanoelectronics can improve medical
practices. Teleoperated techniques and nanorobots can be
used for intracranial prognosis. Advances in medical
nanorobotics can be achieved by interdisciplinary activities
from proteomics, nanobioelectronics and electromagnetics.
Nanorobots can be used for searching protein
overexpression signals in order to recognize initial stages
of
aneurysm.
Based
on
clinical
data
and
nanobioelectronics the proposed model can be used to
predict how a nanorobot can help with early detection of
cerebreal aneurysm.
14. CONCLUSIONS
Advances have been made in development of nanorobots
for medical applications. Submarine robots are used in
branchy therapy, spinal surgery, cancer therapy etc.
Nanocar has been designed with fullerenes as wheels,
alkyne groups as axle and can be observed using a STM,
scanning tunneling microscope. Nanoparticles have been
developed for use in eye disorders and for early diagnosis.
Nanostructures can be nanoparticles, nanotubes, soccer
ball structures, nanopores, nanopeapods, nanowhiskers,
nanocapsules,
nanoshells,
nanowires,
nanoropes,
nanolayered materials, nanocomposites, nanofilm,
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129
International Journal of Engineering and Technology (IJET) – Volume 2 No. 2, February, 2012
nanocoating,
nanocrystal,nanorods,
nanotetrapods,
nanosheets, nanotrenches, nanotunnel, nanograins,
nanocubes, nanovoids, nanolamella, nanofilament,
quantum dots, etc.Fullerenes, C60, is the third allotropic
form of carbon. Soccer ball structured, C60, with a
surface filled with hexagons and pentagons satisfy the
Euler‟s law.
The first generation combustion synthesis method for
fullerene production, an advance over the carbon arc
method. In the second generation combustion synthesis
method optimizes the conditions for fullerene formation.
Synthesis of C60 can be prepared using organic methods.
Corannulene is synthesized from naphthalene structure. As
the rings fuse and the sheet forms then it is rolled into
soccer ball structure. Electric arc method can be used to
prepare fullerenes. Nanostructures can either be generated
by building up from atoms using methods classified as
„bottom-up‟ strategy or by diminishing of size from
nanoparticles using methods grouped under „top-down‟
strategy. Bottom-up strategies use self-assembly concepts,
are cheap, more scalable, more flexible and leads to
molecular level engineering. Top down strategy are
expensive, less scalable and inflexible.
Different nanostructuring methods are discussed. These
include: sputtering of molecular ions ; gas evaporation
process to make ultrafine magnetic magnetic powder;
triangulation and formation of nanoprisms by light
irradiation; nanorod production using condensed phase
synthesis method; subtractive methods such as
lithography, etching, galvanic fabrication; lift-off process
for IC circuit fabrication; nanotips and nanorods formation
by CMOS process; patterning Iridium Oxide
nanostructures; dip pen lithography; SAM, self assembled
monolayers; hot embossing; nanoimprint lithography;
electron beam lithography; dry etching; reactive ion
etching; quantum dots and thin films generation by sol gel,
solid state precipitation, molecular beam epitaxy, chemical
vapor deposition, CVD, lithography, nucleation and
growth; sol-gel processing methods; thin film formation
from surface instabilities; thin film formation by spin
coating; cryogenic milling for preparation of 100-300 nm
sized titanium; atomic lithography methods to generated
structures less than 50 nm; electro deposition method to
prepare nanocomposite; plasma compaction methods;
direct write lithography; nanofluids by dispersion. 34
different nanostructuring methods have been discussed.
Three different methods of synthesis of CNTs, carbon
nanotubes have been identified.
The solid colloid dynamics that can be expected in
nanocomposites was discussed. Stochastic simulations
using the supercomputer were used to better understand
the process of spinodal nucleation and in situ laser
ablation. Nanocomposites can be structured to prepare
materials with higher thermal conductivity compared with
copper for use in laptop computer casings and reducing the
weight of automobiles. Thermodynamic miscibility of
nanocomposites can be calculated from the free energy of
mixing. The four thermodynamically stable forms of
Carbon are diamond, graphite, C60, Buckminster Fullerene
and Carbon Nanotube. Mackay et. al. [61] showed that
thermodynamically stable dispersion of nanoparticles into
a polymeric liquid is enhanced for systems where the
radius of gyration of the linear polymer is greater than the
radius of the nanoparticle.
Tiny magnetically-driven spinning screws has been
developed. DNA computing was born when a molecular
algorithm to solve the Hamiltonian path problem was
proposed and when an instance of a directed graph with 7
nodes was solved for. Molecular machines are molecules
that can with an appropriate stimulus be temporarily lifted
out of equilibrium and can return to equilibrium in the
observable macroscopic properties of the system.
Molecular shuttle, molecular switches, molecular muscle,
molecular rotors, molecular nanovalves are discussed.
Supramolecular materials offers alternative to top-down
miniaturization and bottom-up fabrication. Selforganization principles holds the key. Gene expression
studies can be carried out in biochips. Sequence alignment
can be used to develop cures for autoimmune disorders, in
phylogenetic tree construction, identify polypeptide
microstructure, in shot gun sequencing, during drug
design, in protein secondary structure determination, in
protein folding, clone analysis, protein classification, etc.
CNRs are a new generation of self-organizing collectives
of intelligent nanorobots. This new technology includes
procedures for interactions between objects with their
environment resulting in solutions of critical problems at
the nanoscopic level.
Biomimetic materials are designed to mimic a natural
biological material. Nanorobots have characteristics
lengths of 100 nm – 1 m. Five different methods of
synthesis of CNTs are discusses. These are: a) Arc
Discharge; b) Laser Ablation; c) CVD; d) HIPCO Process
and e) Surface Mediated Growth of Vertically Aligned
Tubes.
Characterization methods of nanostructures
include SAXS, small angle X-ray scattering, TEM,
transmission electron microscopy, SEM, scanning electron
microscopy, SPM, scanning probe microscope, Raman
microscope, AFM atomic force microscopy, HeIM helium
ion microscopy.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Acknowledgements are extended to Bentham Science for
the invitation to prepare a review article on nanorobots in
nanomedicine. I served as a co-convener with Dr.
Sethuraman Swaminathan of the II International
Workshop on Nanotechnology and Health Care conducted
at SASTRA University, Thanjavur, India in May 2005.
The President of India Dr. A. B. J. Abdul Kalam dedicated
the Center for Nanotechnology and Advanced
Biomaterials to the Indian nation in September 2006. I
instructed to graduate students the courses Introduction to
Nanotechnology, and Nanofabrication Techniques in
2005-2006 and 2006-2007 in India. In summer of 2008,
Dr. Irvin Osborne-Lee, Head of Department, Chemical
Engineering, charted me with the task of integrating
advances in nanotechnology into the chemical engineering,
interlinked curriculum component ICC. Three campuses
were collaborating – Texas A & M at College Station, TX,
ISSN: 2049-3444 © 2012 – IJET Publications UK. All rights reserved.
130
International Journal of Engineering and Technology (IJET) – Volume 2 No. 2, February, 2012
Texas A & M at Kingsville, TX and Prairie View A & M
University, Prairie View, TX. A textbook was developed
with McGraw Hill Professional, New York, NY, entitled,
Nanostructuring Operations in Nanoscale Science and
Engineering © 2010. A foreword for the book was
provided by Sir Harold Kroto, Nobel Prize recipient
(Chemistry ‟96) and Professor, Department of Chemistry,
Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL. Kudos to A.
Pendleton, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Mechanical
Engineering, H. Fan, Professor, Chemistry, and A. Keaton,
Professor, Biology at Prairie View A & M University for
interesting discussions during research team meetings on
nanorobots.
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